An initiative by the South Carolina EPSCoR Program designed to empower faculty members from primarily undergraduate institutions and historically black colleges and universities across South Carolina to pursue external funding from any NSF program (research, education, workforce development, etc.).

The goal of the Academy is to equip participating faculty members with the necessary skills and resources to enhance their research productivity and competitiveness in securing external funding. This will not only bolster their individual competitiveness but also contribute to the overall productivity and student engagement.

Participants will receive instruction on writing competitive proposals including an assessment of the technical aspects of the proposed project and preparing the various components of a successful proposal.

The Academy program will be conducted in eight virtual two-hour sessions from 10 – noon on Fridays from May 22 to August 1, 2026, and two in-person sessions. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.

Please click here to apply. Applications are due Friday, March 20, 2026.